Captain Doug Loft could be back for Gillingham’s trip to Peterborough this weekend.

The 28-year-old has been back in training following a calf injury that has kept him sidelined since the opening week of pre-season.

His only appearance since the end of last season was a 45-minute run-out against Folkestone Invicta in July.

He was due to feature for the Gills in a practice match during the week at Leyton Orient, a crucial step closer to getting back into the matchday squad.

Gills boss Justin Edinburgh said: “Hopefully, there will be no reaction.”

Edinburgh has recently been boosted by the return of last season’s leading scorer Cody McDonald. He made his first appearance of the campaign during the second half of the Capital One Cup defeat at Birmingham on Tuesday.

Edinburgh added: “Doug will be another one to step into the fray on Saturday and things are looking good.

“It will be fantastic to have him back, along with Cody. We always want decisions to be difficult ones and that is what we are looking to build up to now.”